COMMON If you say that you take your hat off to someone, you are expressing admiration for something that they have done. I take my hat off to them. They've done very well. You have to take your hat off to a team that can do that. Note: You can also say hats off to someone. Hats off to them for supporting the homeless. Hats off to the newspaper for having the courage to publish the pictures. Note: People used to remove their hats as a sign of respect when they met someone.